The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners are set to collide on Saturday at T-Mobile Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PT.
Seattle enters as -135 moneyline favorites, while the game total is set at 6.5 runs.
Texas (71-76 SU, 65-82 RL, and 68-74-5 O/U) will have veteran right-hander Max Scherzer on the mound. The 40-year-old has a record of 2-4, a 3.89 ERA, and a 1.09 WHIP across eight appearances (39.1 innings) this season.
Meanwhile, Seattle (74-73 SU, 61-86 RL, and 67-70-10 O/U) will rely on righty Logan Gilbert. The 27-year-old boasts a 7-11 record with a 3.15 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 29 starts (185.2 innings).
Injury Update
Rangers: SS Corey Seager is sidelined due to a hip injury.
Mariners: No notable injuries reported.
*This article was drafted prior to the conclusion of Friday’s game.
Scherzer’s Long-Awaited Return to the Mound
In a thrilling opener, Texas edged Seattle 5-4, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to secure a comeback victory. The Rangers are currently facing a steep hill to climb for a postseason spot, a stark contrast from their championship run last year.
The Rangers struggle offensively, ranking 20th in on-base percentage (.306) and 24th in OPS (.685) with 155 home runs (20th). Their pitching staff has a 4.34 ERA, placing them 24th in the league.
Scherzer’s start on Saturday marks his first since July 30, following a stint on the injured list due to right shoulder fatigue. Manager Bruce Bochy has indicated he will limit Scherzer to around 60 pitches. The three-time Cy Young Award winner recently made a successful rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock, striking out eight batters and allowing no runs over four innings. His road performance this season has not been stellar, with an 0-2 record and a 4.05 ERA in four starts. Interestingly, Scherzer has a strong historical performance against the Mariners, holding a 4-2 record and a 2.85 ERA in eight career matchups, totaling 53.2 innings.
Gilbert Seeks Offensive Support
The Mariners have faced challenges in the latter half of the season, losing their grip on the AL West and trailing 4.5 games in the Wild Card race. Fans are left wondering if the team can rally for a comeback.
Seattle’s offense has struggled, ranking 19th in on-base percentage (.307) and 25th in OPS (.676), despite hitting 164 home runs (14th). However, their pitching has shined, with a 3.52 ERA, ranking second in the league.
Logan Gilbert will take the mound for the Mariners. In his last start against St. Louis, Gilbert pitched a stellar eight innings, surrendering just two runs on two hits while striking out ten. He has been particularly effective at home this season, sporting a 2.35 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 13 starts (84.1 innings). Notably, Gilbert has kept the Rangers scoreless in two outings against them this year, recording 15 strikeouts over 14.2 innings pitched. His track record against Texas is impressive, holding a 4-2 record with a 2.31 ERA in 12 career appearances (74.0 innings).
Best Bets for Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners
Betting Trends: Seattle holds a 36-23 SU (61.0%) record as home favorites, while Texas has struggled with a 16-31 SU (34.0%) record as road underdogs this season.
Given the matchup, Gilbert appears poised to outlast Scherzer, providing Seattle with the necessary edge in pitching. Gilbert has shown remarkable consistency throughout the season, and advanced metrics validate his performance. Although his second-half ERA has seen an uptick, his WHIP remains stable while maintaining a .202 batting average against. Notably, the Rangers have been underwhelming offensively, ranking 25th in weighted on-base average (.290) and 23rd in weighted runs created plus (90) over the last month. With a reliable bullpen supporting him, the Mariners seem likely to secure a win with just enough offensive firepower on Saturday night.
